Navelbine And Herceptin

vickie h · 09-19-2006, 06:38 AM

hAVE ANY OF YOU BEEN ON NAVELBINE/HERCEPTIN VERY LONG? i AM GOING INTO MY 6TH WEEK (OUT OF SIX MONTHS) AND AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME. NEUPOGEN SHOTS FOR 3 DAYS AFTER EACH TREATMENT, NAUSEA, DIARHEA, AND SOME DEPRESSION. ALSO A LOSS OF STRGNTH AND LOTS OF FATIGUE. IS THIS PRETTY NORMAL AND DOES THAT GET ANY BETTER? i AMSTAGE 4 ER/PR HER2 -. i AM IN YEAR 3 NOW. ANY INFO WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, VICKIE H

geraldine · 09-19-2006, 08:45 AM

Hi Vickie, Your question was asked just recently..

Check Frankie/evelyns thread posted on 9/14/06. I'm sure you will find all the answers you need in that thread.

God Bless
Geraldine

vickie h · 09-19-2006, 06:58 PM

Thank you Geraldine, I am grateful for your reply and will check that out. I have posted some questions and no one has ever replied to me. I again thank you so much for your kindness. Love, Vickie H

jhandley · 09-19-2006, 08:25 PM

Hi Vicki
You may find it helpful to take some reishi mushroom extract..it will raise your white blood count and research shows it also helps the herceptin work better. Wait for 24 hours after chemo before taking it. I use Astra Forte which is reishi plus astralagus..it is called Immune Support and is made by Greenridge. I did this all through my 5 months of taxol and had no problems with WBC..(in fact my onc said my bloodwork was beautiful).
Regards
Jackie

Lolly · 09-19-2006, 08:46 PM

Hi Vicki,

I've had Navelbine/Herceptin for 3 recurrences now, starting back in 2001. I always had trouble with my counts, and my onc would cut the Navelbine in half when my counts didn't come up high enough; by the next infusion I'd be able to receive a full dose. I did have to have Aranesp this last spring, to raise my red counts as I was really low for awhile. Nausea was kept in check with Zofran IV before infusion, then pills at home for a few days until the nausea abated. So yes, I think your "Navelbine Blues" sound pretty familiar. I can't say it gets better, one just learns to manage the side effects. Keep your nurses informed and they will be a great help in keeping you on a more or less even keel while you get through the 6 months.
Congratulations on being such a survivor! You're in good company here

<3 Lolly

vickie h · 09-20-2006, 10:13 AM

Thank You so much, Lolly and Jackie,

I feel better already just hearing from you. I am getting the treatment weekly, 3 weeks on one week off. I have Neupogen shots at home for 3 days after treatment and today is the 7th day and I feel so much better. Just hearing from you and getting your support makes a world of difference. Sometimes I feel so cut Off from the world I used to be in and then depression sets in. But today is glorious and I thank God for people like you who truly care. You have made a difference and I feel blessed to have you in my life. Many Hugs and much love to you always, Vickie H